When the first e-bikes came on the market, they were primarily touted as mobile support for retirees. In the meantime, however, more and more young families or commuters are interested in pedelecs – and unfortunately also thieves.
According to a recent statistics In 2020, most bicycles were stolen in the Saxon metropolis of Leipzig – closely followed by Münster, Halle (Saale) and Osnabrück. Among the stolen goods were not only ordinary bikes such as racing bikes or mountain bikes, but also expensive e-bikes, which more and more thieves are targeting. Very few of them found their way back to their owners. This is particularly annoying when you have spent several thousand euros on a new Pedelec. It is all the more important to take appropriate protective measures that make theft more difficult. This includes the right e-bike accessories as well as taking out appropriate bicycle insurance.
How to protect your e-bike against theft
Don’t forget to lock!
A bike lock is by far the most important e-bike accessory, but you should rely on a robust model here. Because the more difficult the lock is to pick, the quicker a thief will let go of it. And contrary to many opinions that you have to pay a lot of money for quality, there is – according to Stiftung Warentest – the one Price-performance winner from Decathlon for just under 30 euros. If you want to be on the safe side and make theft even more difficult, you can attach a lock to the front and rear wheels.
The storage location is crucial
Regardless of the fact that you should lock your e-bike anytime and anywhere, the place where it is parked also plays a decisive role: during the day, busy areas that can be seen from all sides are the best choice. In the evening you should park your bike in the garage or in the basement, if possible. If that is not possible, you should opt for a (also popular) storage location that is illuminated at night. On the other hand, you should avoid quiet corners, small side streets or dark house entrances.
Camouflage the e-bike
Unfortunately, most e-bikes are recognizable at first glance, so it can be helpful to camouflage the bike (especially at night). All you need is an appropriately sized cover or one opaque rain protection for your Pedelec, under which you hide the bike. Of course, it doesn’t stop a thief from looking underneath. However, it doesn’t arouse curiosity that quickly, as you would have to take the trouble to look under the cover first. It is definitely worth a try.
Take the battery with you
So that you can charge the battery of an e-bike, it is usually removable. Without the energy storage device, the bicycle rides quite normally – and is therefore significantly less attractive for thieves who would first have to buy it for a lot of money. For this reason, you should always remove the battery when you park the bike outdoors. In addition, your bike no longer looks like an e-bike at first glance without a battery, which may dissuade some thieves from their plan.
E-bike accessories: practical purchases
GPS tracker for e-bikes
Despite all the protective measures mentioned, it can happen that your e-bike is stolen. In this case, it makes sense to purchase a GPS tracker that you can use to locate your bike (and report the location to the police). It is attached directly to the bike – in such a way that you cannot see it, of course. This model The Powunity brand, for example, is built directly into the engine so that it is not visible from the outside. You should have skilled fingers for the installation, otherwise the manufacturer offers video instructions.
If the installation is too complicated for you, you can do this too GPS tracker use for e-bikes, which is hidden in a rear light. This only has to be mounted on the bike – but there is also a downer: To use the tracker, you have to buy a SIM card in advance, which is inserted into the housing. However, you can get cheap prepaid models for just five euros. If the e-bike is stolen, you can easily access the GPS data via phone call or SMS to the SIM number.
Cell phone holder
E-bikes are particularly suitable for long journeys as they support the pedaling function. If you want to go on an excursion, the additional investment in one is worthwhile Cell phone holder: It is permanently installed on the handlebars and enables you to look at the display while driving – instead of fumbling with your smartphone out of your pocket. For example, if you are planning your route using Google Maps, your smartphone can serve as a navigation device and show you the way.
Air pump
When you are miles from home, the tire suddenly loses air and there is no bike shop in sight, you need an air pump. It is part of the standard e-bike accessories and should be included on every tour. A mini pump with a CO2 cartridge is recommended so that it takes up as little space as possible and the hose is refilled with air as quickly as possible. The tire (according to the manufacturer) should be inflated in seconds via the pressure. This model from Decathlon, for example, fits on every valve.
bell
Not every e-bike is automatically delivered with a bell – many also consider it unnecessary. In fact, the little gadget is more than useful in traffic. Especially if you are traveling really fast and someone is (accidentally) blocking the bike path. In this case, it is very helpful if you can warn people from afar with a short ring of the bell. It is best to use a model that is particularly loud – 90 decibels are a good guideline here.
helmet
Last but not least, the Bicycle helmet not missing from e-bike accessories. Because even if there is still no compulsory helmet for cyclists in Germany, wearing them while driving – especially with a fast e-bike – is more than advisable. It protects your head from serious injuries in the event of a fall. There are different models for children, teenagers and adults, so that there is something for every head (and every taste). Safety should always come first here.
That is why insurance for e-bikes makes sense
Unfortunately, once the e-bike has been stolen, it is very unlikely that you will ever see your bike again. Even the police are powerless in most cases. However, if you have taken out insurance for your e-bike, you will at least be reimbursed for the money (based on the purchase price and age of the bike) – which you can afford a new model of. However, the insurance only takes effect if you have taken it out BEFORE the theft. According to Stiftung Warentest you can have your bike protected for as little as 32 euros a year. It is therefore worth taking out bicycle insurance in any case. If the e-bike was stolen from your own house or apartment, it is even possible that your household insurance will pay for it. Unless you have completed one. However, it is also advisable to have the bike insured in advance (for an extra charge).
Important for you to know: Do not throw the receipt or invoice for your e-bike in the trash, otherwise the insurance will have to estimate the purchase price. In addition, you have to provide proof that you actually bought the stolen model.
Source: Stiftung Warentest
You might also be interested in:
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.